86-year-old discharged four days after lung cancer surgery, hospital credits precise anesthesia for safety in elderly patients

An 86-year-old woman has been discharged after just four days following surgery for lung cancer, thanks to advanced medical care at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. The patient, identified as Grandma Li, had been monitored for a chronic cough and lung nodules. Late last year, a nodule was found in her lower left lung, and her cancer embryonic antigen (CEA) levels surged from 6 to 19 ng/mL.

In January, Dr. Lin Chih-hung, head of thoracic surgery, performed a thoracoscopic wedge resection. This minimally invasive procedure allowed for a swift recovery. The hospital emphasized its use of "precise anesthesia," a technique designed to improve safety and outcomes for elderly patients undergoing complex surgical procedures.

The successful surgery and rapid discharge highlight the hospital's capabilities in managing high-risk patients and its commitment to employing advanced techniques for better patient care.